Deadly Vices

Gabriele Taylor

Description

Gabriele Taylor presents a philosophical investigation of the 'ordinary' vices traditionally seen as 'death to the soul': sloth, envy, avarice, pride, anger, lust, and gluttony. This complements recent work by moral philosophers on virtue, and opens up the neglected topic of the vices for further study. Whilst in a mild form the vices may be ordinary and common failings, Deadly Vices makes the case that for those wholly in their grip they are fatally destructive, preventing the flourishing of the self and of a worthwhile life. An agent therefore has a powerful reason to avoid such states and dispositions and rather to cultivate those virtues that counteract a deadly vice.

In dealing with individual vices, their impact on the self, and their interrelation, Deadly Vices offers a unified account of the vices that not only encompasses the healing virtues but also engages with issues in the philosophy of mind as well as in moral philosophy, and shows the connection between them. Literary examples are used to highlight central features of individual vices and set them in context.

Deadly Vices

Gabriele Taylor

Author Information

Deadly Vices

Gabriele Taylor

Reviews and Awards

"As an account of the vices this book is astute, lucid and compelling...Its themes, and the analyses it does offer, are never less than absorbing, insightfuland challenging. Deadly Vices is a must for anyone engaging with moral philosophical psychology." - David Pugmire Philosophy

"a rare philosophical accomplishment: a book that advances a philosophical debate in a manner compelling not only to the professional philosopher but to anyone with an interest in the nuances of human psychology... an enviable work..." - Michelle Mason Mind

"Taylor's book is an excellent, insightful, psychologically informed discussion of a class of vices." - Christine Swanton, The Philosophical Quarterly